Method of and means for distributing washers to the pins of heel molds



March 6, 1928. 1,662,019

L. WETMORE METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTING WASHERS TO THE PINS OF HEEL MOLDS Filed Sept. 20. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 \N TOR g Laurence efmore,

ATTORNEY March 6, 1928.

L. WETMORE METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTING WASHERS TO THE PINS OF HEEL MOLDS Filed Sept. 20- 1926 INVENTOR Laur n ce i Ve fmora,

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ATTORNEY Patented Mar. 6, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LAURENCE WETMORE, 0F AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY, OF AKRON, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

METHOD OF AND MEANS FOR DISTRIBUTING WASHERS TO THE PINS OF HEEL HOLDS.

Application filed September 20, 1926. Serial No. 136,388.

My invention relates to the manufacture of rubber heels, and it has particular reference to a method of, and to a device for distributing washers to the pins of the molds in which the heel blanks are vulcanized.

Heretofore it has been customary to apply washers to the pins of heel molds by means of distributing tools or machines that were adapted to be moved over the surface of the mold. Devices of this character have been provided with tubes or fingers that contained washers disposed in regular relation, and which were provided with spring means to prevent the discharge of the washers unless the fingers were moved over a mold pin.

Resilient retaining means, while universally employed, have not been entirely satisfactory, since they are incapable of rugged construction, and their dimensions often limit the range of operation of the machine. The distance between the rows of pins of small molds. such as those employed for the heels of childrens and ladies footwear, is small, and spring controlled distributors cannot be employed, as they do not possess the requisite strength when constructed to conform to required dimensions.

It is among the objects of the invention to replace the spring controlling elements heretofore employed, with means that shall be more efiicient and serviceable in operation. The invention also contemplates the provision of magnetic control means for washer distributors and a method of applying washers to mold pins with the aid of magnetic force.

Other objects, and the advantages to be derived from a practice of the invention, will become apparent from a perusal of the following detailed description of the construction and operation of a typical washer distributing device, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a distributing tool showing in elevation the general arrangement of the washer retaining units;

Fig. 2 is a bottom plan view of the device shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of an escapement device; and,

Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are fragmentary crosssectional views of a washer distributing unit in various operative positions relative to a mold pin.

The washer distributing machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a frame 10, which is adapted to be moved over the surface of a mold M, and that has a plurality of washer distributing units 11, 12, and 13 pivotally mounted therein. During the movement of the device, the individual washer distributing units contact with pins P in separate rows to cause a deposition of washers \V thereon.

The frame 10 includes a deck 14, disposed parallel to the surface of the mold M, and a pair of runners or spacers 15 that are secured to opposite portions of the deck 14, and which maintain the distributing units a proper distance above the mold pins. The deck 14 is formed with a portion .16 that projects beyond the runners 15, and to which a handle 17 is secured by means of which the device may be manually actuated over the mold surface.

Rectangularly shaped brackets 18 and 19 are respectively formed at the ends of the deck 14. and in them are mounted the separate distributing units 11, 12 and 13. The bracket 18 has two vertically disposed pins 21 and 22 rotatably mounted therein, to the mid portions of which are secured horizontally projecting arms 23 and 24 that support distributing units. The arm 23, extending from the pin 21, terminates in a support 25 for the. distributing unit 11. The arm 24, which is secured to the pin 22, is of greater length than the arm 23, and it likewise terminates in a support 26 for the distributing unit 12.

A single pin 27 is vertically mounted for rotation in the bracket 19, and it is provided with an arm 28, similar in construction to the arm 23, that projects inwardly and terminates in a support 29 for the distributing unit 13.

The washer distributor units 11, 12 and 13 are alike in construction and operation. Refer-ring specifically to the member 11, it will be seen to comprise a cylindrical tube 31 having a bore 32 and which is clamped in the support 25 at a slight angle to a true vertical position. The bore 32 of the tube is of sufficient diameter to receive a. charge of superposedwashers, and the lower end of the tube is indented to form a plurality of teeth or projections 33.

A.collar 34, clamped to the tube 31 adjacent the teeth 33, is formed with an outwardly and downwardly extending jaw portion 35. This member is pierced for the reception of a pin 36, by means of which an upwardly projecting jaw member 37 is pivotally connected to the portion 35. The lower extremity of the member 37 terminates in a collar 38, in which a tubular member 39 is disposed that is normally aligned with the tube 31. The upper end of the member 39 is serrated, as indicated at 41, to provide teeth that interfit with the teeth 33, and thus form asubstantially continuous passage for the washers.

A spring 42, extending between the jaw 37 and the arm 23, and a set screw 43, positioned in the jaw for contact with the member 37, may .be provided to hold the member 39 in the desired relation with respect to the tube 31. The entire unit 11 may be properly positioned with respectto the frame 10 by means of a coiled spring 44, which extends from a clamp secured to the tube 31, to a plate '46 positioned on the bracket 19. Since the construction-and arrangement of the units 12 and 13 are substantially the same as that of the unit 11, a further description of them is deemed unnecessary.

The means which prevent the accidental loss of washers from the distributing unit are located at the lower portion of the tube 55 into two 'spaced'portions 57 at a 39. As suggested above, it has heretofore been customary to provide spring devices for this purpose, but they are unsatisfactory on tools designed to operate on molds having a slight distance between the rows of pins. Accordingly, the spring retaining means have been removed, .and the parts are made as small as possible, in order'to permit the unit to move between the closely disposed pins.

A preferred form of improved construction is shown in Fig. 3. A portion of the outer wall of the cylindrical member 39 is reduced to a plane surface 51 that is provided with a raised key or lock 52. The wall is recessed at its lower extremity, adjacent the plane surface 51, as indicated at 53, to receive a retaining member 54, that is so cut as tofit snugly against the plane surface 51. The member54 is formed with an angularly disposed portion 55, that overlies the lower end of the tube 39 to retain the washers, and also to guide a mold pin P into contact with the lowermost washer.

'The outer surface of the retainer 54 is formed with a channel 56 that gradually in creases in depth until it divides the member int slightly removed from the central axis of the tube 39. This channel serves as a guide to direct the mold pin P to the washer W, and, because of its thickness, it causes an elevation of the member 39 bodily prior to the impaling of the washer.

Theportion of the tube 39 diametrically opposite the recess 53 is provided with a recess 58, having a maximum width commensurate with the diameter of a washer, and a notch .59 formed at its mid portion permits the mold pin to be withdrawn from the tube ina lateral direction. It will be observed that the washers may be moved laterally from the bottom of the stack through the recess 58, and that this passage is always open.

To prevent the accidental loss of washers, the entire member 39 is formed of hardened steel, which is magnetized as highly as pos sible. The magnetic force between the lower.

washers of the stack, the wall of the tube, and the overhanging portion 55, is sufliciently great to retain the steel washers in proper position, although it is readily overcome by the mechanical force exerted in moving the tool over the mold surface.

There is a tendency for the magnetic force to pull the washer from the pin after it has once been seated, and hence it is desirable to provide means to interrupt the magnetic effect at the trailing side of the distributor unit. A suitable means is found in the provision of an outwardly extending boss 61 which is formed integrally with the tube 39 above the aperture 58. The lower portion of the boss 61 is covered with a thick layer of non-magnetic material 62, such as brass, which prevents the magnetic force from acting upon the washer after it has been seated on the pin. The value of the brass insert may be more fully appreciated by a resume over the mold pin, as the pin clears the channel 56 and enters the space between the parts 57. As shown in Fig. 5, the various elements are so dimensioned that the head of the pin enters the centrally disposed aperture of the lowermost washer.

Continued movement of the unit causes the lowermost washer to be withdrawn laterally from the stack through the aperture 58, which is just deep enough to rmit the passage of a single washen-Q, s the,

washer is withdrawn, it is forced-doviub wardly upon the pin from the pressure exerted by the brass lug portions 62, as indicated in Fig. 6. These portions are nonmagnetic, and hence there is no tendency for the Washer to be pulled from the pin by magnetic force, as would be the case if the entire unit were magnetized.

It is apparent from the foregoing description that the employment of magnetic force as a means to control the discharge of washers is not limited to a washer distributor of the type described, and that various changes may be made without departing from the principles of the invention. Only such limitations should be imposed, therefore, as are set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A device for applying washers 10 the pins of heel molds comprising a reservoir for the washers, an escapement device permitting the discharge of the washers to the pins, and magnetic means to control the discharge of the washers.

2. A device for applying washers to the pins of heel molds comprising a receptacle for a plurality of washers, and magnetic means associated with the receptacle to control the discharge of the washers.

3. A device for applying washers to the pins of heel molds comprising a receptacle adapted to be moved relative to the pins and formed with a discharge aperture, and magnetic means to control the discharge of the washers through the aperture.

4. A device for applying washers to the pins of heel molds comprising a washer receiving member formed with a discharge aperture and adapted to be moved relative to a mold pin, and magnetic means to control the escape of the washers through the aperture.

5. The method of applying washers to the pins of heel molds which comprises arranging a plurality of washers in regular relation, so moving the washers with respect to a pin that one washer is impaled thereon, and retaining the remaining washers in their original relation by means of magnetic force.

(3. The method of applying washers to the pins of heel mold-s which comprises arranging a plurality of washers in superposed relation, applylng to certain adjacent washers suflicient magnetic force to prevent the escape of the washers by means of the force of gravity, so moving the washers relative to a mold pin as to cause a single washer to engage a pin, moving the engaged washer only from the magnetic field, and subjecting it to non-magnetic influences to insure its retention on the mold pin.

7. A device for applying washers to the pins of heel molds comprising a member adapted to be moved relative to the pins to ell'ect a discharge of washers through an aperture formed in said member through which the washers are freely movable, and magnetic means to prevent the escape of washers.

8. A device for applying washers to the pins of heel molds comprising a magazine for a plurality of washers, said magazine be ing formed with an aperture through which the washers are freely movable, and magnetic means disposed adjacent the aperture to control the movement of the washers through the aperture.

9. A device for applying washers to the pins ofheel molds comprising a magazine for a plurality of washers and magnetic means to control the escapement of the washers to mold pins, said means including a member formed with an aperture through which the washers are freely movable, a portion overlapping the aperture providing a seat for the washers, and a non-magnetic portion projecting from said means adapted to position the washer on a pin after it has been initially seated.

10. A device for applying washers to the pins of heel molds comprising a magazine for the washers adapted to be moved relative to the mold to effect the discharge of the washers, said magazine having an escapement device associated therewith permitting the discharge of the Washers one at a time, the major portion of the magazine being formed of paramagnetic material. and smaller portions of the magazine being formed of non-magnetic material.

1]. A device for applying washers to the pins of heel molds comprising a magazine adapted to receive a plurality of washers disposed in regular relation, an aperture formed at one extremity of the magazine to permit a substantially lateral withdrawal of a washer, a member of magnetic material disposed adjacent the aperture to prevent the discharge of washers by the force of gravity, and a member of non-magnetic material disposed adjacent the aperture and adapted to interrupt the magnetic force as the Washer L is withdrawn.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

LAURENCE WETMORE. 

